I recently bought a house from a relative and the circuit box seems to be the original from the 60's. I know I need to upgrade and initially thought it was 60 amp service and I would go up to 100 amp. However, I have recently been told that my circuit box is a 'dual bus', because the top 4 spaces on both columns are marked "Main Disconnect", meaning I would have to turn them all off to fully disconnect power, not just the 60 amp breaker.

If I add all the breakers up, there is 185 amps, comprised of 60 amp, 30 amp (ac), tandem 20 amps, 20 amp, 20 amp, 15 amp. If the 185 amp total is correct, then do I really need to upgrade to a higher amperage, or just get a new 200 amp service box and that would do it?

The supply wires are stranded aluminum and appear to be just under 1/2" diameter, but I don't know what gauge exactly that would be.

I would think that you just need a new 200 amp service box. You might need new breakers also.

Along with a new 200 amp panel and breakers, the meter and all the conduit and wires that connect to the utility line right to the panel needs to be upgraded also.

Are the supply wires you refer to the lines that run overhead from the utility pole to the house? These will be replaced by the utility if necessary once you change your service.

Adding the breakers is not how a service is sized. Minimum size service is 100 amps, but if your considering a 200 amp, from a 60, then you should have plenty of capacity for many years.

Perhaps my area is an abnormality, but the electric company refuses to upgrade the service entry wiring beyond 100 amp in my neighborhood. Better check with your utility company first. Likely any licensed electrician in the area knows the utility's policy.

I am straining my 100 amp service, but little I can do. If you can upgrade to 200 amp now, I would do it. If not, I would try to make it as easy to upgrade as possible when you can.

Labman, I know you have mentioned your problem with the utility line before, so I understand.

Just because the utility company is not willing to upgrade the overhead line for some reason, this should not stop you in any way to upgrade your service.

The electrical system in your home is entirely your responsibility and is subject to all NEC regulations.

The utility, however, is not bound by NEC at all. They use much different rules derating formulas to size their overhead lines. They are obligated to replace their cable in the event of loose, corroded connections, and to increase the line size to limit voltage drop if your demand increases in combination with a long line.

And I believe most states have some sort of Public Utility Commissions that regulate the utilities. If you run into road blocks trying to deal with the utility, then a call into PUC should get their attention.

Hope this helps.

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Originally Posted by tkrussell

Along with a new 200 amp panel and breakers, the meter and all the conduit and wires that connect to the utility line right to the panel needs to be upgraded also.

Are the supply wires you refer to the lines that run overhead from the utility pole to the house? These will be replaced by the utility if necessary once you change your service.

Adding the breakers is not how a service is sized. Minimum size service is 100 amps, but if your considering a 200 amp, from a 60, then you should have plenty of capacity for many years.

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The supply wires I refer too are the ones that come into the box from the meter.

I don't think my service is 60 amp... that is the largest breaker in the area labeled "Main Disconnects", but there are 5 more breakers labeled Main Disconnect in the box. The 185Amp service makes more sense (185 amps is adding up all the breakers in the areas labeled "main disconnect" in the box), because I have never had the 60 amp blow, and this house does have a bit of higher draw items.

I think I will have to get the 200 amp box and get an electrician to come exchange them out for me.

Thanks for the help

Not to beat this horse here, on labmans problem, but I would have thought that if you approached the utility company ready to finance your upgrade I would think they would comply. After all, they aren't paying for it.

And its not like the increase in service won't come back to profit them. After all, more AMP service, means more kiliwatt hours used, more money for them! I am a big fan of electric appliances and gadgets, can't imagine life without 200 AMP service.

I am afraid it is far more than just the wires out to the pole. The heavier wire might have to run clear back to the substation or even to a new plant. The activists have held rates down to where the electric company can't afford to upgrade the infrastructure as proven by the big blackout a few year ago.

How would I nib into the neighbor on the other side's service? They made him bury it after he installed a hot tub under the over head wires. Wonder if the wire they buried was only good for 100 amps? All the wire is hidden in conduit except at the top of the pole. I am not going there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by labman

I am afraid it is far more than just the wires out to the pole. The heavier wire might have to run clear back to the substation or even to a new plant. The activists have held rates down to where the electric company can't afford to upgrade the infrastructure as proven by the big blackout a few year ago.

How would I nib into the neighbor on the other side's service? They made him bury it after he installed a hot tub under the over head wires. Wonder if the wire they buried was only good for 100 amps? All the wire is hidden in conduit except at the top of the pole. I am not going there.

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Fair enough, I guess they just can't upgrade for one, then they will have to upgrade for all and cause some bad budget problems.
Just out of curiosity, what is the electric company?

We get serviced by Appalacian Power (AEP) and Ive never heard of this problem before. We're getting charged about 5.5 cents per kiliwatt hour, its due to increase next year though.